Arts, History & Community
Plans are underway as we recreate The Masonic during a multi-year renovation project.
Restoring & reimagining the Masonic
We are in the early stages of planning and preparation as we work together with the surrounding community to transform the iconic heritage building in the heart of St. John’s, NL.
We want to create an inclusive venue and cultural hub that will recognize and celebrate the province’s rich – and sometimes untold – history and culture through art, community, and local fare.
Our vision is to help tell the story of what’s next for the arts in NL.
Who We Are
Meet the team behind the Masonic
Founder, The MacRae Foundation
Morgan has years of community building and event production experience within the arts and festival spheres.
Formerly, Morgan has worked as an Auditor for the BC provincial government, a board member and treasurer of several nonprofits, and as a staff accountant.
Her interest in community building began when she worked with nonprofits that provided grants to local artists and hosted large scale art protests and multi-day festivals.
While her current focus is her two young daughters, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue passion projects like reviving the Masonic.
Founder, The MacRae Foundation
Duncan is an entrepreneur, investor, and collaborative design practitioner.
Prior to his current role, he ran a software company, as well as worked closely with his family office on private equity and real estate investment, all of which gave him opportunities to delve deeply into the study of change management, organizational culture, and collaboration.
He is currently the President and co-founder of Coeuraj Management, an organization that specializes in organizational and systems transformation.
Duncan lives in Victoria, BC with his wife and their two daughters. In his spare time, he spends time cooking, walking the dogs, and playing board games.
Business Manager
Erin has been a member of the Masonic team since May 2022.
She is an entrepreneur-at-heart who loves to take part in community organizations. She studied English and Sociology at Memorial University, and completed a Bachelor of Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Erin started her career in communications at a Toronto hospital before returning to Newfoundland in 2008.
She has experience in business strategy and operations; communications counsel; crisis communications planning; media relations at the local, provincial and national level; event planning; government relations; and branding.
Erin puts a tremendous amount of effort into organizations that she is involved in to help strengthen them from within.
The Vision
Project Timeline
Spring 2022
Morgan & Duncan MacRae purchase the Masonic Temple from Spirit of Newfoundland.
Summer 2022
Local St. John’s architect and designer engaged.
Morgan & Duncan introduce themselves as new owners through local media.
Consultative and planning work begins.
Fall 2022
Morgan & Duncan host meet & greet event at The Masonic to introduce themselves and their plan for the building, its use and community involvement.
Consultative and planning work ongoing.
Jan-Mar 2023
Building is covered with scaffolding and tarp for weather protection.
Spirit of Newfoundland announce their new location.
Consultative and planning work ongoing.
Pipe organ is moved to new home at Trinity Hall in Winterton, NL.
Apr-Jun 2023
Spirit of Newfoundland perform their last show at The Masonic and move to new location at Gower Street United Church.
Consultative, planning and permitting work ongoing.
The Masonic is closed to the public until restoration and renovation work is complete.
Jul-Sep 2023
Successful bidder selected for phase 1 demolition (Lindsay Construction).
Phase 1 demolition work begins (a 3-month process that includes careful removal, packaging and offsite storage of many historically significant building features & artifacts for re-use in the renovation).
Structural assessment work and remediation planning ongoing.
Oct-Dec 2023
Phase 1 demolition continues including the safe removal, packaging and offsite storage of many historically significant building features & artifacts.
Delving deeper into structural analysis to determine project budget and feasibility.
The Masonic Project hosts community collaborative design event “Where to from Here: A conversation about the future of arts and culture” (Nov. 15-17).
JAN-MAR 2024
Phase 1 demolition and structural assessment continue to determine project feasibility.
The City of St. John’s Council approve the addition of an elevator to the building.
Where to from Here event recap report shared with participants; plans are underway for further community consultation.
SPRING/SUMMER 2024
Phase 1 demolition concludes. During this stage, the building’s structural integrity was assessed, and some remediation was needed to stabilize structural and bearing aspects of the exterior walls. The architectural, structural engineering and envelope consultants have reviewed the assessment and determined further investigation is needed.
NL-based arts consultant engaged to carry out a business feasibility study for the development of the Project. The study will assist in making informed decisions about how best to develop The Masonic into an arts-focused community hub and performing arts space.
FALL 2024
Morgan and Duncan establish The MacRae Foundation to support the renovation project for the benefit of the community.
Founders contribute to several community organizations including Stella’s Circle, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern NL, Choices for Youth, Thrive, Bridges to Hope, and Single Parents Association of NL.
Business feasibility study continues.
Carleton University students install monitoring equipment throughout building that will help detect and measure any change in building movement. The data collected from this process will generate a model to help with structural design.
WINTER/SPRING 2025
Business feasibility study concludes.
The Project team moves closer to determining future programming and operations through theatre consultation and project roadmapping work.
The MacRae Foundation team members attend and support community and industry events related to arts and culture, including a session hosted by Resource Centre for the Arts focused on mapping a shared future of the arts and our community.
Remedial work on the building’s brick to begin late winter 2025.
Check back soon for more updates
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